Snakes: An Inter-Generational Panorama of Responses

Five distinct reactions to seeing a garter snake, over the past few weeks, with sharp contrast between the generations:

1. Amy screams.

2. I give it wide berth, and yell orders at the boys to do so, in spite of their enthusiasm.

3. Madeleine says in a happy, high-pitched lilt: "Oh! A snake!!"

4. Ian picks up the first box he can find and says, "Daddy, trap it in this!"

5. Daniel lifts his foot, to display his working gear, and asks, "Daddy, can I put my shoe on it?"

(September - October, 2011)